The Juvenile Department serves a vital role in providing accountability, interventions and positive pro-social skill development for youth and families to mitigate community risk and increase public safety. The Department builds on the prevention and intervention efforts of the early childhood system, in an effort to address high-risk youth behaviors, victim and community impact, and redirect youth from escalating criminal behavior into the state juvenile justice system; and eventually the adult criminal justice system.

The juvenile department is responsible:

To process juvenile delinquency referrals from law enforcement on youth who are alleged to have committed a criminal act.

We also provide:

A resource for law enforcement, schools, and probation officers to refer youth twelve and under who are experiencing serious difficulties and are at risk to enter into the juvenile justice system. Our Family Support program provides direct interventions to the family system to reduce risk factors, increase school success, decrease acting out behavior, improve family functioning and increase positive peer associations and activities.

MISSION

To improve public safety by working with parents and the community to provide youth accountability and opportunities for positive change.

PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

Everyone

Is unique, has value, and strengths

Is responsible for his or her choices

Is capable of positive change given tools, resources and boundaries

Deserves another chance

WE

Are an important piece in the process for change

Do what works for immediate and long term success

Are obligated to intervene in ways that make a difference: to deter criminal behavior and replace it with internalized positive behaviors.